Another $9.8 Million for Stem Cell Research in CT; Yale Leads

Governor Dannel P. Malloy has announced the awards of $9.8 million in stem cell research funds to 19 Connecticut–based researchers. The awards were made by the State of Connecticut Stem Cell Research Advisory Committee at its grant review meeting in Farmington.

Thirteen of the 19 grants will be headed to Yale researchers, reflecting the institution’s cutting-edge work through the Yale Stem Cell Center. Three grants will be awarded to researchers at the UConn Health Center, two to research work at UConn Storrs campus, and one grant being awarded is a joint initiative between research scientists at the UConn Health Center and Wesleyan University in Middletown. UConn Health Center’s Stem Cell Institute is located in Farmington.

“Connecticut’s continued support of stem cell research has allowed for exciting and innovative research to take place right here in our state,” said Governor Malloy. Echoing the state’s new tourism and business development slogan, Malloy added: “The research projects funded by these grants allow scientists to do revolutionary work that puts Connecticut at the forefront of bioscience industry.”

Eighty-eight stem cell funding applications were accepted for consideration in January 2012 – nine more than a year ago. The Connecticut Stem Cell Research Peer Review Committee reviewed these applications in accordance with National Institutes of Health guidelines and provided to the Advisory Committee its recommendations with respect to the scientific merits of each application.

A year ago, Gov. Malloy announced the award of $9.8 million in stem cell research funds to twenty Connecticut–based researchers, selected from 79 stem cell funding applications that year.

In 2010, former Governor M. Jodi Rell announced $9.8 million in state grants to support nearly two dozen stem cell research projects by scientists at the University of Connecticut and at Yale. The grants were part of the $100 million Stem Cell Research Fund, which was created by legislation that Rell signed into law in 2005 making Connecticut the third state in the nation to offer public funding for human stem cell research. The program was created to support the growing bioscience industry and the jobs it creates in Connecticut.

“The projects funded by these grants will advance the clinical use of stem cells to treat some of the most debilitating diseases and injuries,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner and Advisory Committee Chairperson Dr. Jewel Mullen of the 2012 grants. “The research conducted as a result of these grants brings hope to people coping with difficult health conditions.”